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series of blows in the fellow's face--blows that left Crumb as completely out of

battle as was his mildewed comrade.

"Watch 'em," said Billy, handing Bridge the shotgun. Then he turned his attention

to the woman. With the carving knife that was to have ended her life he cut her

bonds. Removing the gag from her mouth he lifted her in his strong arms and

carried her to the little horsehair sofa that stood in one corner of the parlor,

laying her upon it very gently.

He was thinking of "Maw" Watson. This woman resembled her just a little--

particularly in her comfortable, motherly expansiveness, and she had had a kind

word and a cheery good-bye for him that morning as he had departed.

The woman lay upon the sofa, breathing hard, and moaning just a little. The

shock had been almost too much even for her stolid nerves. Presently she turned

her eyes toward Billy.

You are a good boy," she said, "and you come just in the nick o' time. They got

all my money. It's in their clothes," and then a look of terror overspread her face.

For the moment she had forgotten what she had heard about this man--that he

was an escaped convict--a convicted murderer. Was she any better off now that

she had let him know about the money than she was with the others after they

discovered it?

At her words Bridge kneeled and searched the two tramps. He counted the bills

as he removed them from their pockets.

"Eleven hundred?" he asked, and handed the money to Billy.

"Eleven hundred, yes," breathed the woman, faintly, her eyes horror-filled and

fearful as she gazed upon Billy's face. She didn't care for the money any more--

they could have it all if they would only let her live.

Billy turned toward her and held the rumpled green mass out.

"Here," he said; "but that's an awful lot o' coin for a woman to have about de

house--an' her all alone. You ought not to a-done it."

She took the money in trembling fingers. It seemed incredible that the man was

returning it to her.

But I knew it," she said finally.

Knew what?" asked Billy.

I knew you was a good boy. They said you was a murderer."

186

The Mucker